Mornhinweg: Beat The Colts By Running On Them, If You Can

by JasonB on Nov 5, 2010 10:30 AM EDT in Xfinity Sponsored Posts

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs against Brent Grimes #20 of the Atlanta Falcons during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17 2010 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg spoke with the media yesterday and was asked whether running the ball is the way to beat the Colts given that their strength of defense is the pass rush. The Colts come into this game with the 5th worst run defense in the NFL.

"Yeah, well, that's real, and that's all good. The two teams that beat them did it that way and jumped out on top of them. And other teams wanted to do it, and then find themselves behind. It's all good unless you're 14 points behind or something like that. That's with every team, with every defense. Your point is valid there. They have such great pass rush ability that you do need to do some things to counter that. There's many different ways to go about it and I think we've got a pretty good plan. We'll see if it works."

The two teams that beat them he refers to are the Texans and Jaguars. Texans RB Arian Foster went nuts facing the Colts in the first game of the year running for 231 yards and 3 TDs. As a team the Texans rushed for 257 yards in that game. Maurice Jones-Drew didn't fare quite as well as Foster, but he had a solid game against Indy with over a hundred yards and a TD. Jacksonville had 174 yards as a team that day including 44 rushing yards from QB David Garrard.

Arian Foster actually ran for over a hundred yards and a TD in his second game against the Colts. The Redskins Ryan Torain also had over 100 yards and a couple TDs against Indy this year.

As I said earlier, the Colts are giving up over a 133 yards a game this year, which is the fifth most in the NFL. They've surrendered the third most TDs... Clearly, they're a team susceptible to the run. However, as Marty alludes to you've got to have the chance to run the ball. If Peyton Manning and that Colts offense starts scoring, you aren't catching up by running.

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

So McCoy going to see 30 carries?

RIP Jim Johnson, best ever.

by Imp on Nov 5, 2010 10:32 AM EDT reply actions

Either that or we finally see what we got in Jerome Harrison

Let the beasting begin.

by TransplantedFan on Nov 5, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

As much as I’d like to see Harrison… I think Buckley’s N-S style of running matches up better against this undersized defense.

Colts don’t do well against bruiser-type backs. That’s why I wouldn’t be surprised to see Buckley get a half dozen carries or so.

by Smitty2K3 on Nov 5, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Buckley < bruiser

Time for Joique Bell to start earning his pay

by DLawrence55 on Nov 5, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

True, but he’s the best we got I think at running N-S.

by Smitty2K3 on Nov 5, 2010 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

What if the field is situated on its longitude?

Then wouldnt you need a E-W or W-E runner? Who you gonna chooooose then?

FLY #7 FLY !!!

by BWestFactor on Nov 5, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

This should be fascinating.

Marty has now publicly acknowledged that, all the things being equal, the best way to beat the Colts is to run on them. What will he say if they throw 45 passes and. God forbid, lose by three points?

by Tracer Bullet on Nov 5, 2010 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

All depends on how the defense holds up

I’m sure we’ll come out fairly balanced, but if the Colts put up a quick 2-3 touchdowns, then well I’d expect the running game be put in the backseat.

by Team Serbia on Nov 5, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

It's all just trickeration

Marty wants them to gameplan us as if we’re going to pound them with the run…that way we can surprise them by throwing it 50 times. They’ll never see this one coming

by DLawrence55 on Nov 6, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

The Other Bell

Would like to see Joique get some touches.

by 999 on Nov 5, 2010 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

Vick

I think Vick could be the hidden answer here. I’m not going to ask for designed runs for him, but if he gets the chance I want him to take off in this game. With the receiving weapons the Eagles have everyone will be in coverage and if Vick can gain 6-8 yards on some runs and maybe break a big one that would be nice. That is what Garrard did and it worked great for the Jags!!

by slandog on Nov 5, 2010 11:54 AM EDT reply actions